Take a look at some of the most breathtaking and captivating water fountains, from the extravagant Dubai Fountain to the vivid Moonlight Rainbow Fountain in Seoul.
1. Moonlight Rainbow Fountain, Seoul
(Korea Tourism Organization)
The Moonlight Rainbow Fountain is the world’s longest bridge fountain, measuring a spectacular 1,140 meters (3,740 feet) long. Installed in 2009 on the Banpo Bridge, the fountain repeatedly pumps water from the Han River below in an effort to remain eco-friendly. Along each side of the bridge, 380 nozzles spray water 140 feet horizontally. As the water jets sway to a wide selection of music, 10,000 LED nozzles illuminate them, creating a rainbow effect.
2. La Joute Fountain, Montreal
(Tourisme Montréal)
Every night throughout the summer, La Joute Fountain puts on a dramatic 32-minute show that begins with mist and ends with a ring of fire. Jean-Paul Riopelle created the bronze fountain sculpture in 1969, and today it sits in front of the colorful window panels of the Palais des congrès de Montréal.
3. Fountains of Bellagio, Las Vegas
March 20, 2012: This file photo shows the Bellagio fountain spraying in sync with music during one of its afternoon shows in Las Vegas. (AP)
The Fountains of Bellagio are located right in the middle of the Vegas Strip, so you can’t miss them. Spouts of water shoot nearly 500 feet into the air and dance to a repertoire of music, including Elvis Presley's "Viva Las Vegas" and Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On.” Depending on time of day, the fountain performs every 15 minutes or every half hour and the show is free.
4. Swarovski Kristallwelten (Swarovski Crystal Worlds), Austria
(Bernhard Aichner)
The Swarovski Crystal Worlds opened to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Swarovski. Its striking fountain, a prominent face with piercing crystal eyes and a watering mouth, serves as the entrance to 14 underground “Chambers of Wonder,” which display eye-popping crystalline structures.
5. Jet d'Eau, Geneva, Switzerland
Jet d'eau / Water fountain (Geneva Tourism & Conventions)
The first Jet d’Eau came to be in 1886 when an engineer installed an outlet at a hydraulic factory to release water pressure. The outlet produced a plume 30 meters (98 feet) high and quickly became an attraction. Soon after, Geneva decided to relocate the fountain to a more public location and today, it sits on Lake Geneva. Jet d’Eau forces out 132 gallons of water per second over 400 feet into the air.
6. The Dubai Fountain
(Emaar Malls)
Located in the heart of Dubai, this $218 million fountain shoots 22,000 gallons of water at once as high as 500 feet. The creators of the Las Vegas Bellagio Fountains designed this lively fountain that dances to Arabic and international music. Twenty-five color projectors and 6,600 lights illuminate the airborne water and the light beams can be seen over 20 miles away. The fountain performs twice in the afternoon and every 30 minutes in the evening.
7. The Montjuïc Magic Fountain, Barcelona
B0022P 0016 (Espai d'Imatge, Turisme de Barcelona)
This majestic fountain debuted in 1929 at Barcelona’s International Exhibition. The fountain surges, swells and subsides to the beat of an assortment of music. Over 50 striking shades and hues spread throughout the fountain during its impressive 15-minute performance. It is open year-round and performs during the evenings.
8. Trevi Fountain, Rome
(AP)
The theatrical Trevi Fountain is one of the most famous fountains in the world. Standing 85 feet high and 65 feet wide, it was originally built to mark the end point of the Acqua Virgine, an aqueduct built in 19 BC. An Oceanus sculpture stands as the central figure while water cascades below him and empties into a large basin. In an effort to preserve the fountain’s beauty, it will undergo a $2.9 million restoration to be completed by 2015.
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